How to Choose Ceramic Tile

Choosing the right ceramic tile for the right spot can sometimes be difficult. Here are some tips for choosing ceramic tile:

• Glazed ceramic tiles with shiny or matte finishes are naturally slick when wet. In bathrooms, entrance foyers, or other areas where slip resistance is important, choose glazed tiles with a raised pattern or with added slip resistance.

Before looking through samples, tile shoppers should tell the retailers where the tiles will be placed so they can be directed to the ones with the appropriate thickness and level of durability.

• Unglazed quarry tiles, protected by an acrylic sealant, cost less than glazed tiles. Abrasives can scratch through to clay because the sealer isn’t baked on. Avoid this by frequently wiping away dirt with a damp sponge, a sponge mop, or cloth.

Unglazed tiles work well in high-traffic areas and places that need slip-resistant tiles. Don’t use them in showers; they’re porous and collect extraneous soap.

• Unglazed ceramic mosaic tiles are made from porcelain rather than clay, range in size from 1 to 2 inches, and are very durable and slip resistant. Decorative or accent tiles get fired at lower temperatures than regular tiles, which creates the brilliant colors and glossy surfaces. Low temperatures also make glazes less durable.

Choose accent tiles for walls and backsplashes. Wash them often with a damp sponge to keep finish from getting scratched and worn down.